Чума
Part I
"Imean,canyoumakeanunqualifiedindictment?"
"Unqualified?No,IhavetosayIcan’t.Butsurelytherewouldn’tbeanygroundsforunqualifiedcriticism?"
Rieuxgentlyansweredthatatotalcondemnationwouldindeedbegroundless,butthathehadaskedthequestionmerelybecausehewantedtoknowifRambert’sreportcouldbemadeunreservedlyornot.
"Icanonlycountenanceareportwithoutreservations,soIshallnotbegivingyouanyinformationtocontributetoyours."
"You’retalkingthelanguageofSaintJust,"thejournalistsaidwithasmile.
WithoutraisinghisvoiceRieuxsaidthatheknewnothingaboutthat,butthatitwasthelanguageofamanwearyoftheworldinwhichhelived,yetwhostillhadsomefeelingforhisfellowmenandwasdeterminedforhisparttorejectanyinjusticeandanycompromise.Rambert,hunchinghisshoulders,lookedatthedoctor.
"IthinkIunderstand,"hesaidatlast,gettingup.
Thedoctoraccompaniedhimtothedoor.
"Thankyoufortakingitlikethat."
Rambertseemedirritated.
"Yes,"hesaid."Iunderstand.Forgivemeforbotheringyou."
Thedoctorshookhishandandtoldhimthattherewasanintriguingreporttobewrittenaboutthenumberofdeadratsthatwereturningupinthetownatthemoment.
"Ah!"Rambertexclaimed."Nowthatdoesinterestme.
